Letters

The consequences in the states that have legalized the sale and use of marijuana seems to be almost completely positive. Users have been decriminalized. Minors do not have direct access to the sales.

Where do "rights" end?

Regarding Rick Gallinger's April 22 letter, Cathy McMorris Rodgers has no compunctions about blocking constituents who disagree with her on Facebook. She blocked me more than four years ago.

Mr. Vestal says in his April 16 column, "It's hard to imagine the changes that are almost certainly coming to the North Monroe corridor," He doesn't have to imagine. Go look at what was done to Hawthorne Road between North Waikiki Road and Highway 2. The number of lanes was reduced to one each direction with a turn lane. The curbs were bumped out into what used to be a travel lane. Now congestion is so bad at times that it takes up to three light cycles to get through the intersections at Hawthorne and Whitworth Drive and/or Division.

Betsy DeVos, President Trump's secretary of education, is grossly unqualified for her position. Her biggest inadequacy for her position is her support for school vouchers, federal money that pays for private school tuition rather than putting money into traditional public schools.

I understand that The Spokesman-Review needs advertising revenue, but I would rather have a smaller newspaper than read one more article about marijuana. It seems like each week more ads and articles are featured and not just in one section but scattered all throughout the entire paper. I am positive I am not alone in feeling that marijuana is not the center of our lives, and I don't want to see it every day. I don't see beer and alcohol highlighted - take note! Take the higher stand!

The April 21 Spokesman article on Dow Chemical's attempt to get the Trump administration to "set aside" the results of government studies on pesticide safety provides a perfect illustration of the importance of objective, peer-reviewed science in public policy decisions.

The EPA has recently announced that it is soliciting public submissions regarding regulations to be eliminated. This action is in response to the president's executive order requiring that agencies act "to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens" on the American people.

In his April 20 column, Shawn Vestal wrote that "in terms of personal freedom ... it has always been impossible to understand how someone smoking pot did anyone else's nose any harm – however skunky the aroma. ..."

In response to the article regarding the Kalispel Tribe filing their lawsuit to halt construction of the Spokane Tribe Economic Project, I am disgusted at the sheer greed displayed by the Kalispel Tribe. They say, "despite the revenue from their casino, their members continue to suffer from unemployment, lack of housing, substance abuse, etc."

Congress should reject President Trump's proposal to gut federal support for public transportation.

The continued mean-spiritedness of Republicans in Congress, and namely Cathy McMorris Rodgers 5th District, is breathtaking. She seems so calm in her resolve as she is voting with Speaker Ryan, et al, to take away health care for up to 24 million Americans, and in the same bill give what amounts to about $600 billion of tax relief to the richest of Americans.

DUIs are out of control in Washington. Police traffic enforcement is insufficient in Spokane, as new chief or mayor may not want to deal with legal issues stops entail. Instead, a move for more photo enforcement revenue the city can use.

You are supposed to be publishing a family-oriented newspaper. What can you be thinking! The food section of the April 19 paper included "Elevating Your Edibles" with "pot infused foods." Dorothy Dean must be turning over in her grave.

Clay Bennett's April 19 humorous cartoon showing our president's tax returns as "top top secret," illustrates what should be a top national concern. Why? Because our president took the oath of office to uphold our Constitution. And his foreign business activities are likely in conflict with both our Constitution and his oath. Much has been written. Many protest.

The law is the law, or is it? I believe that most of you have heard of someone getting a ticket or being arrested and then nothing really happened. During my lifetime, I have seen people get by without going to jail or paying a fine. Over the years, police officers and judges have considered the facts about the person's social standing to make those determinations. I have no problem with that unless the laws are felonies or something worse.

I feel that there is a divide in this country. It's not caused by President Trump or his people. It's the Democrats who vow not to do their jobs unless the see tax returns. Me, personally, I could care less about them. They won't make or break me in any way, shape or form. I don't see how they will affect many of whom are most likely on public assistance anyways.

As a retired airline pilot, I'm going to claim some expertise on the United Airlines removal of a passenger issue. It appears that excessive force may have been used and, if so, that is unfortunate. It is also irrelevant.

Greatly appreciated are the numerous articles posted in The Spokesman-Review regarding snow removal issues during our past winter. The city of Spokane has continued dragging along looking for answers for years. Currently, the city has posted an online survey. Hopefully with the results, solving issues can be created.